The Multi-Child Family Policy: Current Status and Implications for Improvement

Abstract

The multi-child family policy has been in place in Korea as part of its population strategy, with the target population expanding since 2020 from “families with three or more children” to include “families with two or more children.” This shift represents a move toward more meaningful, per-child investments, which has led local governments to establish new ordinances and amend existing policy measures accordingly. However, the standards and approaches applied for providing support vary across local governments. A case in point is the concept of “supra multi-child” introduced by some municipalities, which, while having the positive effect of further differentiating the levels of support, can add another layer of eligibility criteria. The multi-child family policy, focused on reducing the family burden of infant and early childhood care, consists mainly of family-specific exemptions, reduced charges, and time-limited cash benefits. This policy in the time ahead should become, beyond a mere means of encouraging childbirth, a comprehensive support system that incorporates life-course considerations, aiming at ensuring children’s rights and a better quality of life for families with children.